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Republicans introduce ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ to force schools to publish list of books they are teaching and post curriculums online to ’empower’ families after furious board meetings during the pandemic
- The bill follows on a core promise from the midterm campaign to fight against ‘woke’ education trends like critical race theory and gender theory
- It would require schools to provide a list of books available in their children’s library and to post curriculum publicly
- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called it ‘milestone’ legislation, but unlikely to come up for a vote on the Senate floor
House Republicans are introducing a five-pronged ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ to underscore families’ rights in their children’s education.
The bill follows on a core promise from the midterm campaign to fight against ‘woke‘ education trends like critical race theory and gender theory.
It would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require schools to provide a list of books available in their children’s library and to publicly post curriculum.
House Republicans are introducing a five-pronged ‘parents’ bill of rights’ to underscore families’ rights in their children’s education
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, right, and GOP Conference chair Rep. Elise Stefank (R-NY) left, unveiled the legislation this week
The legislation also emphasizes parents’ rights to make their voices heard at school board meetings and to be in the know about violent activity at schools. It would require more transparency on school budgets and spending.
It requires parental consent before medical exams at school, including ‘mental health or substance use disorder screenings.’
Parental rights have launched to the forefront of conservative politics since COVID school shutdowns. It was central to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s successful campaign against Democrat Terry McAuliffe in 2021.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled the legislation with 73 co-sponsors alongside House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., who initially introduced the bill.
Concerned parents and activists joined the group on Capitol Hill to highlight the bill, along with House Education Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.
McCarthy called it ‘milestone’ legislation but it’s unlikely to come up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Children pose with the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ sign at the legislation’s unveiling on Wednesday
Concerned parents and activists joined the group on Capitol Hill to highlight the bill, along with House Education Committee chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.
The measure was roundly condemned by National Education Association president Becky Pringle.
‘Parents and voters agree that elected leaders should be focused on getting students the individualized support they need, keeping guns out of schools, and addressing educator shortages. But sadly, McCarthy would rather empower politicians who want to ban books and drive passionate educators out of the profession, instead of doing what is right for our students and public schools. Students, parents, and educators deserve better,’ Pringle said.
The bill follows in the footsteps of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s ‘Parents Bill of Rights‘ legislation that banned discussing gender and sexual identity before fourth grade.
Since January 2021, 18 states have imposed bans or restrictions on teachings on racism and sexism.
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